Shawn Lemon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shawn Lemon

No. 0     Montreal Alouettes
Lemon with the Montreal Alouettes in 2024
Born:	(1988-08-25) August 25, 1988 (age 36) Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Career information
Status	Suspended
CFL status	American
Position(s)	Defensive lineman
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	242 lb (110 kg)
College	Akron
High school	Westlake (Waldorf, Maryland)
Career history
As player
2011	Winnipeg Blue Bombers*
2011	Saskatchewan Roughriders
2012	San Jose SaberCats
2012	Orlando Predators
2012	Sioux Falls Storm
2012–2013	Edmonton Eskimos
2013–2014	Calgary Stampeders
2015	Pittsburgh Steelers*
2015	San Francisco 49ers*
2015	Ottawa Redblacks
2016	Saskatchewan Roughriders
2016–2018	Toronto Argonauts
2018	BC Lions
2019	Toronto Argonauts
2019	BC Lions
2021	Edmonton Elks*
2021–2022	Calgary Stampeders
2023	BC Lions*
2023–present	Montreal Alouettes
*Offseason and/or practice roster member only
Career highlights and awards
3× Grey Cup champion (2014, 2017, 2023) Norm Fieldgate Trophy (2022)
CFL All-Star	2022
CFL East All-Star	2016
CFL West All-Star	2022
Career stats
Tackles	237
Sacks	101
Forced fumbles	30
Interceptions	3
Playing stats at CFL.ca Playing stats at NFL.com

Shawn Lemon (born August 25, 1988) is an American professional football player. He plays as a defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Akron University.

Shawn has played for many teams across different leagues. These include eight CFL teams, three indoor football teams, and two NFL teams. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion. This means his team won the championship game three times. In 2022, he was named a CFL All-Star. He also won the Norm Fieldgate Trophy for being the best defensive player in the West Division. In 2016, he was a CFL East All-Star.

In 2024, Shawn faced a suspension from the CFL. This was due to rules about betting on league games.

Early Life and High School Football

Shawn Lemon was born on August 25, 1988, in Charleston, South Carolina. His family later moved to Waldorf, Maryland. There, he attended Westlake High School. He was a talented athlete, playing football, basketball, and participating in track and field.

In football, Shawn was amazing at getting to the quarterback. He set a new record at Westlake High for the most sacks in a single season, with 21. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. As a senior, he made 97 tackles and was named first team All-Metro. He also earned a spot on the Maryland Big School All-State second team. During his junior year in 2004, he had 80 tackles, 16 sacks, and two interceptions.

College Football Career

Shawn Lemon played college football for the Akron Zips. This team is part of the University of Akron. As a senior, he was chosen for the All-Mid-American Conference team. He led his team with seven sacks and recovered four fumbles.

By the end of his college career, Shawn had impressive stats. He recorded 102 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He also recovered five fumbles and forced six fumbles.

Professional Football Journey

Shawn Lemon's professional career has taken him to many teams. He has played in the CFL, NFL, and even indoor football leagues.

Early CFL and Indoor Football Teams

Shawn first joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in July 2011. He was on their practice team for a short time. Later that year, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played his first CFL game in September 2011.

In 2012, Shawn played in indoor football leagues. He was with the San Jose SaberCats and the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League (AFL). He also played for the Sioux Falls Storm in the Indoor Football League. After his time in indoor football, he returned to the CFL. He spent the 2012 season with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Calgary Stampeders: First Time

Shawn joined the Calgary Stampeders in June 2013. In 2013, he played six games. He made 18 tackles, three sacks, and recovered a fumble.

The 2014 season was a big one for Shawn. He started all 18 games for the Stampeders. He recorded 13 sacks and forced eight fumbles. This set a new CFL record for forced fumbles in a season! He also had 31 tackles and an interception. Shawn was named Defensive Player of the Week in Week 15. The Stampeders went on to win the 102nd Grey Cup championship in November 2014.

Lemon with the San Francisco 49ers in 2015

Time in the NFL

After his success in the CFL, Shawn wanted to play in the National Football League (NFL). In January 2015, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released by the Steelers in August 2015.

A few days later, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He was listed as a linebacker during his time in the NFL. However, he was released by the 49ers in August 2015.

Return to the CFL

Shawn returned to the CFL in September 2015. He signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. He played in the second half of the season and had five sacks. He left the Redblacks in December to try for NFL opportunities again.

In January 2016, Shawn signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for a second time. After playing only one game, he was traded.

Lemon with the Toronto Argonauts in 2019

Toronto Argonauts: First Time

Shawn was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in July 2016. He played 16 games for the Argos in 2016. He finished tied for second in the CFL with 14 sacks. He was named a CFL East Division All-Star for his great performance.

In 2017, Shawn dealt with some injuries. Still, he managed to get 8 sacks and force a fumble in 12 games. During the playoffs, he had 3 sacks in a win against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Argonauts then won the 105th Grey Cup by defeating the Stampeders. Shawn played in 5 games for Toronto in 2018 before being traded again.

BC Lions: First Time

In July 2018, Shawn was traded to the BC Lions. He teamed up with another strong pass rusher, Odell Willis. Shawn recorded 10 sacks in 13 games for the Lions.

Toronto Argonauts: Second Time

Shawn signed with Toronto again in February 2019. He played four games for the Argos, making 15 tackles and one sack.

BC Lions: Second Time

In August 2019, Shawn was traded back to the BC Lions. In his first game back, he had 2 sacks and forced a fumble. He recorded 8 sacks in 10 games with the Lions. The 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lemon with the Calgary Stampeders in 2022

Calgary Stampeders: Second Time

Shawn signed with the Calgary Stampeders again in July 2021. He continued to play very well in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He played 28 games, making 55 tackles, 22 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. After the 2022 season, he was named a CFL All-Star for the first time. He also won the Norm Fieldgate Trophy. This award goes to the most outstanding defensive player in the West Division.

Montreal Alouettes and Third Grey Cup

Lemon with the Alouettes in 2023

In July 2023, Shawn signed with the Montreal Alouettes. On September 30, 2023, he scored his first career touchdown! He returned a fumble 30 yards for the score. The next week, on October 9, 2023, he reached 100 career sacks. He sacked Dustin Crum of the Ottawa Redblacks.

Overall, he played in 13 games in 2023. He had nine sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one touchdown. In the playoffs, he helped his team reach the 110th Grey Cup game. He had three tackles and one sack in that game. The Alouettes defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This win gave Shawn his third Grey Cup championship!

Shawn signed a new contract with the Alouettes in December 2023. He announced his retirement in April 2024. However, he later unretired and launched an appeal after the CFL announced his suspension for betting on games. He was allowed to play while his appeal was being decided. He played in four games for the Alouettes in 2024. In July 2024, an independent decision ruled that his suspension would begin right away.

CFL Statistics

Lemon with the Alouettes in 2023